Countryside Montessori School is a nonprofit, independent school affiliated with the American Montessori Society. It has no religious affiliation and is based on the discoveries of Dr. Maria Montessori. The school is supported by tuition and private philanthropic donations. Located on 30 acres in North Charlotte, Countryside's tri-campus community provides excellent education for youth ages two through 12th grade.
OUR MISSION: Countryside Montessori School is dedicated to providing education for children consistent with the Montessori philosophy. It is our goal to endow the students with the desire and ability to learn and the self understanding and the social awareness necessary for healthy, productive lifetimes. It is our aim to instill respect and responsibility for ourselves, the world of mankind, and the natural environment.
PROFILE
Established: 1981
Accreditation: Countryside Montessori School is accredited by
SAIS-SACS
2009-10 Enrollment
Toddler/Pre-School (Ages 3-6) 223
Elementary (Grades 1-6) 200
Middle/High School (Grades 7-11) 79
TOTAL 502
Staff
90 employees
Grades
Toddlers - 11th Grade
Ratio
12:1 average student teacher ratio
Curriculum
A collaborative learning strategy with small class sizes. Student-centered learning with teachers who are facilitators.
Governance
Leadership
Debby Haugh, Head of School, has over 40 years of experience in teaching and school administration. She received her B.A. in Sociology from Beloit College and her Montessori Early Childhood (ages 3-6) diploma from Midwest Training Teacher Training Center in 1967. In 1980 she earned the NC state certification for K-3rd grade from UNC Charlotte and completed several graduate courses in education and special education. In 1992 she received the Lower Elementary (ages 6-9) Montessori diploma from the NC Center for Montessori Education.
Beyond Elementary
Countryside was the first school in North Carolina to open Montessori-based middle and high school programs.
Testing
Countryside students score, on average, 2.5 grades higher overall than the national norm on the Standard Achievement Test.
